Year 11 Information Evening

Year 11Information Evening April 2019

Pupil Advice • Know and understand the course content • Visit the exam board websites regularly (e.g. aqa.org.uk ; ocr.org.uk etc) – information about the exam boards are provided in the pack • Be familiar with mark schemes • Constantly practise using past papers and mark schemes • Use study websites (e.g. bbc bitesize revision) • Attend extra classes in school (timetable provided in the class) • Be organised and plan your study • Stay healthy – exercise, sleep well, eat well

How will SPaG be made clear on the exam paper? There will be an instruction for candidates before any question that has SPaG marks available stating that spelling, punctuation and grammar will be assessed in that question.

Next 21 School Weeks… • ‘Current Grades’ rather than ‘Working Towards’ • All parents have staff email addresses • Lunchtime and after school timetable(in pack) • Mock results issued at the start of Year 11 Parents Evening – Monday 14th January 2019 • Actual GCSE Examinations begin 13th May and will be completed by 26th June 2019

Top 10 tips to support your child through their exams

What is Prepare to Perform? Staying calm, feeling good, being effective • A toolkit to help your child control different aspects of their life to help them perform better when it comes to exam time • It will allow them to focus, set themselves a plan and work towards being prepared in the best possible way

How can you help your child and prepare them to perform? Being a role model Keep them active Healthy eating Staying cool & calm Belief Help them set goals Be supportive Time out Sleep patterns Unplugging Each day you can support your child to make choices which can impact how they perform during the exam period

1. Being a role model • Set a good example by modelling the behaviour you want your child to adopt… • Planning for the week • Eating healthily and well • Keeping hydrated • Leading an active life • Staying calm • Being organised • Good sleep habits

60 minutes per day 2. Keeping Active • Encourage them to keep active on a daily basis • Carry out exercise in manageable chunks e.g. 3 x 20 min sessions throughout the day • Plan to do active things together on a weekend • Go out for a walk together and get some fresh air • Help them plan out their weekly exercise schedule in advance • After exercise your brain functions well, so encourage a revision session afterwards

3. Healthy Eating • Plan your family meals for the week – breakfast, snacks, lunches and evening meals • Carry out a weekly food shop and make sure you write a list • Avoid high sugary and fatty foods or drinks • Aim to eat clean, fresh and healthy foods • Have a couple or ‘treat’ meals / or meals out per week • Use the Mark Lloyd recipes and meal planner as guidance • Encourage them to eat breakfast everyday • Hydration is key to brain functioning so make sure your child carries a bottle of water with them

3. Healthy Eating A BALANCING ACT Keep your sugar levels under control. Eating the right food and drink can energise your system, improve alertness and sustain your child through the long exams UP THE B’S & OMEGA 3’S B vitamins are directly involved in creating energy at a cellular level & will give you an energy boost Green vegetables Asparagus / Spinach Broccoli Yoghurt Chicken / Salmon Whole Grains / Brown rice Almonds / Pecans Eggs MIGHTY MAGNESIUM Magnesium is involved in over 1000 enzymatic reactions in the body. It's vitally important in providing our cells with energy Green vegetables Nuts Pulses Fish Bananas

4. Staying Cool & Calm • Set a good example by staying calm yourself • Create a relaxing environment for your child • Help them plan out coping strategies to deal with their stress • Give them positive distractions away from studying • Help them understand their stress & to focus on controlling the controllables • Promote a balance of their academic studies & other activities during the week

5. Belief • Give them positive reinforcement • Boost their confidence daily • Celebrate any successes and reward them e.g. if they have achieved their mini-goals • Try not to set your expectations too high • Show them how proud of them you are • Highlight things to make them feel good • Give them the belief in themselves to help them achieve

6. Goal Setting • Encourage them to keep their goals plan visible – e.g. printed and displayed on their bedroom wall • Help focus them and talk to them about their goals regularly • Give positive reinforcement • Connect with them about ‘why’ and ‘what’ they want to achieve

7. Be Supportive • Be a good listener • Be approachable • Encourage them to take breaks in between revision • Show some understanding of what they are going through • Help them deal with their emotions & feelings • Offer caring advice • Just be there for them!

8. Time Out • Encourage them to build in opportunities to take some time out every week, away from study. For example: • Going out for food • Seeing friends • Having a bath • Listening to music • Reading a book • Doing a hobby • Going shopping • Going to the cinema

9.Sleep Patterns • Young people need between 8 – 9 hours sleep per night • Help your child create a relaxing evening routine • Make sure they don’t eat too late at night • Avoid giving them caffeine or sugary drinks late at night • Make sure they don’t work or revise too late before going to bed • Encourage them to switch off from social media / technology at least an hour before bedtime

10. Unplugging • Encourage them to unplug from technology everyday • Help them switch off from technology at least 30 mins- 1 hr before going to sleep • Support your child to appreciate the world around them rather than being governed by their phone • Make sure they put their phone away, & on silent, while they are concentrating on tasks / revision / homework • Help them learn to have the control to not be obsessed with their phone • Choose some time each day/week to switch off and unplug from technology with them

Exam Etiquette • Brother Peter

Before an Exam • You must be on time for all examinations. If you are late, your work might not be accepted. • You cannot get a grade if you miss an exam. • Failure to attend an exam for which you have been entered will lead you having to pay the fee of £23-£47. • Exams start promptly at 9.00am and 1.30pm.

Know the dates and times of the examinations on your timetable. • Arrive in good time for your examination. • You will be lined up on the yard and asked to enter the hall in candidate order. • Take into the examination room the correct equipment – pens, pencils, erasers and any instruments- which you need for the examination.

During the exam • If you try to use unfair practice, or break the rules in any way, you could be disqualified from all your subjects. • Any pencil cases taken into the room must be see through. • You must not use correcting pens, fluid or tape, highlighters or pale coloured gel pens in your answers.

Examination Instructions • Listen to the invigilator and do what you are asked to do. • During the exam the only person you may communicate with is the invigilator. • Put up you hand during the examination to tell the invigilator at once: • You must not ask for, and will not be given, any explanation of the questions.

English and Maths focus • Ms Hayes – Director of English • Google classroom code: nf70upg • Miss Fitzsimons – Director of Maths • Google classroom code: Higher:565za0b Foundation:9313fx

Support Pack • Exam Timetable • Subject support packs • Revision Timetable • Parent support leaflets

Thank You This presentation will be available on the school website

Year 11 Information Evening